Machine for feeding, transferring, and compacting articles into a unit layer



J. E. SOCKE FEEDI Nov. 25, 1952 MACHINE FOR NG, TRANSFERRING, AND COMPACTING ARTICLES INTO A UNIT LAYER IIIIII Filed June 30 1948 Nov. 25, 1952 J. E. socKE 2,619,237

MACHINE FOR FEEDIN TRANSFERRING, AND COMFACTING ARTICLES INTO A UNIT LAYER Filed June 30, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

A 159ml 4 T TOE/VEYS NOV. 25, 1952 SOCKE 2,619,237

MACH FOR DING, TRANSFERRING, AND COMP TING ARTICLES INTO A UNIT LAYER Filed June 30, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 III Illll NOV. 25, 1952 E SQCKE 2,619,237

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, TRANSFERRING, AND COMPACTING ARTICLES INTO A UNIT LAYER Filed June 30, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jfi Z f Z1 .I. .U I55 3 33 12 15 B 45 13 13 17 14 J7 J3 3] 16 A 70 SOURCE RL.

ANMQQ 4 J y \s NOV. 25, 1952 J SQCKE 2,619,237

MACHINE FOR FEEDING, TRANSFERRING, AND COMPACTING ARTICLES INTO A UNIT LAYER Filed June 30, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 25, 1952 MACHINE FOR FEEDING, TRANSFERRIN G, AND COMPACTING ARTICLES INTO A UNIT LAYER John E. Socke, Pelham Manor, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 30, 1948, Serial No. 36,175

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for feeding containers or cans and other articles and has particular reference to devices for transferring a unit group of the articles from one part of the machine to another and for arranging the transferred group into a compact pattern for subsequent treatment as a unit. This is a companion application to my copending United States applications Serial Number 23,926, filed April 29, 1948, on Machine for Feeding and Positioning Containers in a Desired Pattern Arrangement, and Serial Number 36,177, filed June 30, 1948, on Control Mechanism for Article Transfer Device. Reference is also made to the joint application of John E. Socke and Lloyd H. Weber, Serial Number 36,176, filed June 30, 1948 on Bag Filling or Packing Machine, now Patent No. 2,524,846 issued October 10, 1950.

An object of the invention is the provision in a machine for feeding articles, of devices wherein articles received in spaced order are transferred as a unit group from one part of the machine to another and are arranged in a compact pattern of a predetermined form for subsequent treatment as a unit so as to expedite handling of the articles and to exercise control over them during handling.

Another object is the provision in such a ma chine of electrically and pneumatically operated vacuum transfer and compacting devices which operate through a predetermined cycle set into operation by the articles themselves when a predetermined group of such articles have been collected for transfer and for arrangement into a unit layer.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying the present invention with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and with parts in section, the view showing in dotted lines parts of the machine in a different position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 taken substantially along the line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional views showing details of air and vacuum valves used in the machine; and

Fig. 7 is a combined schematic view of the mechanical control parts of the machine and a wiring diagram of the electric equipment used in the machine.

As a, preferred and exemplary embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate a machine for receiving cans A in an upright position in spaced and parallel rows and in staggered relation and for arranging the received cans into a solid compact layer group for transfer as a layer unit from the machine to any suitable place of deposit for subsequent treatment.

In the machine, the individual rows of cans A (Figs. 1 and 2) are carried in pockets or troughs B of a conveyor C which advance the pockets intermittently (toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2) along a path of travel leading into a transfer station D. When a predetermined number of filled pockets B have entered the transfer station, the conveyor stops momentarily in a predetermined position so as to locate the pockets under a transfer device E which is movable vertically and horizontally from this station to a compacting station F located in advance of the transfer station.

As soon as the conveyor stops, the transfer device E moves down into engagement with the cans and lifts the entire batch bodily as a unit out of their pockets. When the cans are clear of their pockets the conveyor resumes operation to collect and advance another batch of cans. During the collection of this second batch of cans, the transfer device E with its picked up batch held in suspension, shifts horizontally to the right in Fig. 2 into the compacting station F. At this station the transfer device lowers the suspended batch of cans onto a table or platform G and then returns to the transfer station to pick up the next batch being formed on the conveyor;

While the transfer device E is returning to the transfer station D, the cans on the table G are pushed together into a compact arrangement to form a solid layer unit of cans in staggered re-' A preferably are rectangular in shape and are just wide enough to accommodate one row of cans extending transversely of the machine. The upper ends of the cans extend above the pockets. One end of these pockets is open to permit of the insertion of the cans into the pockets. The opposite or closed ends of the pockets are fitted with spacer blocks ll (Fig. 3) for staggering the cans in one pocket relative to the cans in an adjacent pocket. There are a plurality of these troughs or pockets B arranged in spaced and parallel order on the conveyor C and are secured to the conveyor. toprovide a continuous proces- The conveyor C includes a pair of spaced and parallel endless chains l2 which extend from any suitable supply of the cans A to the transfer station D in the machine. The-chains operate over a pair of sprockets 13 (Figs.- 2 ands) mounted on a cross shaft I4 located at the transfer station D and journaled in.bearing brackets l5 secured in a frame [6 which. constitutes. the main frame of the machine. The frame preferably is made of vertically andhorizontally. disposed angle irons bolted together'to provi'dea unitary structure. The upper runs of the chains are supported against sagging on a pair of longitudinal plate rails II which are. supported on brackets 18 (Fig; 4) bolted to-the machineframe;

Intermittent advancement of'the conveyor C.

for carrying the can filled pockets Binto. thetransfer station. D-is'efiected by a ratchet device (Fig. 2-) whichis'located-below the conveyor and which includes-'aratchet wheel l9-mounted ona horizontal shaft 20 journaled-inbearingbrackets ZI-secured to the machine frame IS. The ratchet wheel and itsshaft are rotated intermittently by an arm 22: which carries a pawl 23' engaging-v 26- is rotated by a gear 28' which is mounted.

on the. shaft 26- and which meshes with and is drivenby a pinion 29 of an electric motor 30. The intermittent rotation of the ratchet wheel l9 is transmitted to the conveyor C by an endless-chain 34 which operates over a sprocket 32 carried on the wheel shaft 26 and overv a sprocket 33-mounted on the conveyor shaft l4.

Hence" whenthe electric motor is inoperation-it reciprocates the: ratchet arm 22' and this intermittently rotates the ratchet wheel l9, its shaft- 20-, and the conveyor C connected thereto. This intermittent advancement of the conveyor primarily is for the purpose of providing rest periods during which the cans A are loaded into-the pockets B. This loading operation. is effected: prior. to the. entrance of the cans into the=instant machine andforms no part of thisinvention.- As the canfilledpockets-B enter. the. machine;v the cans' are rest-rained against. dis.- placement from the open ends of the pockets by guide-rails 35 (Fig; 2) which. are secured. to the machine frame l6..

Stopping and restarting of the conveyor C as hereinbefore mentioned is effected by the cans A through the actuation of anormally closed electric control switch 31 located at the transfer station D. The switch 31 is connected to the electric motor 30 through a suitable electric circuit which will be more fully described hereinafter in connection with the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 7.

The mo'vableelement-of the switch 31 engages against ahorizontally disposed and floating actuating bar 38 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which extends transversely of the machine at the transfer stap tlorrD, andlocated at aleVel. just above the 4 path of travel of the conveyor pockets B but in line with that portion of the cans which extend above the pockets.

The outer ends of the bar are freely supported in retaining blocks 39 secured to the machine frame It. These blocksi carry compression springs M which yieldably press the bar in a direction toward the incoming cans and away from the switch 37 so that the switch normally remains closed.

Hence when a predetermined number of conveyor' pockets 13' carrying rows of cans A have entered the transfer station D, the leading row of cansv in the procession engages the actuating barv 33andpushes it against the electric switch 31;. This. immediately opens the switch and breaks the. circuit. connecting with the motor 391 The motor" thus stops operating. It is this action. that stops the conveyor C in a predetermined position in the transfer station so as to locate. a. predeterminednumber of-the can filled pockets Builder. the transfer. deviceE as herein-- beforementionedl.

The. conveyor. G. remains stationary until" thefilledIpockets-B into-place under the transfer device E at the transfer station.

The transfer device E which removes the cans A out of the conveyor pockets B comprises a horizontally disposed, rectangular shaped carriage i (Figs. 1', 2 and 4) mounted on four rollers 46 which ride on a pair of spaced. and parallel tracks: 41 secured to the machine frame It. These tracks are disposed above the path of travel. of' the conveyor C and extend longitudinally of the machine. for its entire length, thereby traversing the transfer station D and the compacting station F.

'I'hecarriage 45. carries a lifter pad 5! (Figs. 2 and 4) which comprisesapair of flat horizontally disposed upper and lower rectangular plates secured together as aunitary structure and which are movable toward and away from the conveyor C. The lower plate carries a plurality of dependingvacuumtubes fi2 terminating in vacuum cups 53 and arranged in spaced and parallel rows in accordance with the number and positions of the cans in the conveyor pockets B at rest at the transfer station D. There is one vacuum tube for each can. The upper ends of the tubes communicate with interconnected vacuum channels or grooves 54 formed in the top surface of the lower plate. of the lifter pad 5|.

The lifter pad 5| normally is retained in a. suspended position on the carriage 45 and periodically is moved toward and away from the conveyor C by compressed air devices which include a vertical closed cylinder 56 (Fig. 4') supported on and movable with the carriage. The cylinder contains a piston 51 mounted on a piston rod 58 which extends down through the cylinder and is secured in the upper plate of the lifter pad 5|. Pilot or guide pins 6| secured in the upper plate of the lifter pad extend up through sleeves 62 secured on the carriage 45 and guide the lifter pad against turning during its vertical travel.

Compressed air is continuously introduced into the cylinder 56 adjacent its lower end by an inlet pipe 64 (Fig. 4) which leads from any suitable source of air under pressure. This air exerts its force against the lower face of the piston 51 and thus holds the pad in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 4

Actuation of the lifter pad is efiected by compressed air which is introduced into the cylinder 56 at its upper end above the piston 51, through a pipe 66 (Figs. 2 and 5) which is connected into the cylinder and into a lifter valve housing 6?. This valve housing is connected by a pipe 68 to the source of air under pressure. The pipe 68 is spaced above the pipe 66 as shown in Fig. 5. The flow of air through the valve housing is controlled by a slide valve II disposed within the housing and formed with an annular by-pass groove 12. This valve is connected to a core I3 of a normally de-energized electric solenoid I I mounted in the valve housing 97. A compression spring I5 interposed between the end of the core 13 and a cover plate I6 of the solenoid retains the valve II in its normal position as shown in Fig. 5. In this normal position the valve cuts off the supply of air from the supply pipe 99 and maintains its groove I2 in communication with the inlet pipe 66 and with a vent port 7'! formed in the valve housing 87 just below the pipe 69.

The position of the slide valve 'II changes when the conveyor C stops as hereinbefore mentioned. As soon as the conveyor stops, the electric solenoid I4 is immediately energized through electric circuits which will be hereinafter explained in connection with the wiring diagram in Fig. 7. This energizing of the solenoid lifts its core 13 and the valve II connected therewith and thus closes the vent port TI and opens the supply pipe 98 to communication with the inlet pipe 99.

Hence compressed air from the pipe 63 passes through the valve by-pass groove I2, and pipe 69 into the cylinder 56 and exerts its force against the upper face of the piston. Since this upper face is greater in area than the lower face by an amount equal to the area of the piston rod, the air above the piston pushes the piston down in its cylinder. This action lowers the lifter pad 5| and thus moves the vacuum cups 53 down onto the cans A in the conveyor pockets B.

In the instant case, empty cans A are shown in the drawings by way of example of the articles to be transferred and arranged in a unit layer, although the invention is equally well adapted to filled and sealed cans or to other articles. In the case of empty cans, the vacuum cups move down into the cans and engage against their bottoms at the bottom of the stroke of the lifter pad 5|.

As soon as the lifter pad 5| reaches the bottom of its stroke, the slide valve H is shifted back into its normal position by a de-energizing of the solenoid I4. This cuts off the flow of compressed air from the supply pipe 68 into the cylinder 59 and opens the vent port TI. This permits the air from the inlet pipe 54 at the bottom of the cylinder to lift the piston 51 and thus return the lifter pad 5I to its normal raised position as shown in Fig. 4.

Simultaneously with this shifting of the valve II into its normal position to return the lifter pad 5|, a vacuum is drawn on the vacuum cups 53 for the purpose of gripping the cans A and lifting them bodily with the lifter pad to remove them from the conveyor pockets B and to temporarily hold them in suspension above the conveyor as herelnbefore mentioned. This vacuumizing of the vacuum cups 53 is brought about by a cup venting and vacuumizing mechanism supported on a vertically disposed combination vent and vacuum tube 8| (Figs. 2 and 6) projecting up from and movable with the lifter pad 5 I. The lower end of the tube is threadedly secured in the upper plate of the lifter pad and communicates with the interconnected vacuum channels 5 8 in the lower plate.

The upper end of the vent-vacuum tube 8| supports a switch housing 82 and is in communication with a chamber 83 enclosed by the housing. The upper portion of the housing carries a normally closed electric switch 84 having an actuating element 85 which rests upon the upper end of a stem of a piston 86 located in a short cylinder 81 formed in the housing 82. The lower end of the cylinder is connected by a channel 88 with the chamber 83. A compression spring 89 interposed between the piston and the bottom of the cylinder normally maintains the switch 84 in a closed condition.

Cooperating with the vacuum switch 84 is a normally open solenoid controlled vent valve 9I (Fig. 6) and a normally closed solenoid controled vacuum valve 92. The vent valve 9| is disposed in a bore 93 of a valve casing 94 connected by and supported on a short pipe 95 secured in the switch housing 82. The interior of the pipe 95 is in communication with the bore 93 in the valve casing and the chamber 83 in the switch housing. Opposite the pipe 95, the valve bore 93 communicates with a short vent tube 99 which is secured in the valve casing and which is open to the atmosphere. Within the valve bore 93 the valve 9| is connected to a core 9'! of a normally energized electric solenoid 98 enclosed in the valve casing. The core is maintained under pressure of a compression spring 99 interposed between the upper end of the core and the top of the valve casing. The normally energized solenoid keeps the valve 9| in a raised position as shown in Fig. 6 and thus normally admits the outside air through the vent tube 96 into the switch chamber 83 and vent-vacuum tube 8| and channels 5 3 leading to the vacuum cups 53.

The vacuum valve 92 is located in a bore III! of a valve casing I92 supported on a short pipe I93 which communicates with the valve bore IIlI and with the chamber 83 of the switch housing 92. Opposite the pipe I93 the valve casing I92 is connected to a vacuum pipe I94 which communicates with the valve bore IN. This vacuum pipe I39 leads to any suitable source of vacuum. Communication between the vacuum pipe I94 and the pipe I93 is normally cut off by the vacuum valve 92 in the valve bore IOI. This valve 92 is connected to a core I95 of a normally de-energized e ectric solenoid I09 enclosed in the valve casing I92. The core is maintained under pressure of a compression spring I97 interposed between the upper end of the core and the top of the valve casing.

The operation of this venting and vacuumizing mechanism is as follows. When the lifter pad 5| moves down toward the cans A in their conveyor pockets B and reaches the bottom of its stroke with the vacuum cups 93 engaging the bottoms of the cans, the lifter pad engages and operates an electric switch I99 (Fig. 2.) in the circuits to be hereinafter explained in connection with the wiring diagram and the operation of this switch immediately deenergizes the vent solenoid 981'. and; simultaneously energizes the vacumn solenoid I06 of the venting and vacuumizing mechanism. The vent valve 9| thereupon closes and cuts off the chamber 83 from communication with the atmosphere, At the same time, the vacuum valve 92 opens and establishes communication between the chamber- 83 and the vacuumpipe I04.

Thus the vacuum cups 53, by way of the channels 54 in the lifter pad and the vent vacuum tube BI connectingwith these channels and the chamber as, are subjected to the vacuum pull in the vacuum pipe I04 and are thus vacuumized, with the result that they grip and hold the cans A. When sufiicient vacuum is created in these connecting partsto grip and hold the cans, the piston as is drawn down into its cylinder 8? against the force ofits spring 89 andthis permits the normally closedswitch 84.,to open. It is the opening of thisswitch 84 that starts the lifter pad 5I through, its, return, upward stroke to lift-the cans A out of their conveyor pockets B, the switch 84 being connected for this purpose to the solenoid I4 (Fig. 5) of the lifter pad actuating valve as will be hereinafter explained in connection with the wiring diagram.

When the lifter pad 5I reaches the top of its return stroke and is in its normal raised position, the transfer carriage is shifted along its rails 41 to the right of Fig. 2 from the transfer station D into the compacting station F-and thus carries the suspended cans into a position directly above the compacting table G. During this movement of the cans, the vacuum is maintained on the vacuumizing cups 53 to hold them in suspended position.

Movement of the transfer carriage 45 is effected preferably by compressed air which is introduced into a long horizontal closed cylinder II2 (Figs.

1, 2 and 4) disposed adjacent the path of travel of the carriage and secured to the machine frame I5. This cylinder contains a piston H3 (Fig. 2) which is connected to a long piston rod IIA, the opposite end of which is bolted to the carriage 45. In this cylinder, like the lifter pad cylinder 55, compressed air from any suitable source of supply is continuously introduced into the piston rod end of the cylinder by way of a pipe IIG (Fig. 2) to normally maintain the carriage in a predetermined position at the transfer station D. The opposite end of the cylinder receives compressed air from the same source of supply by way of a pipe I I! (Fig. 2) which connects with a control valve enclosed within a valve housing H8 and actuated by a normally die-energized electric solenoid Ila similar to the valve 'II- (Fig. 5) and solenoid i l. The solenoid H9 is controlled by electric switches IZI, I22 (Fig. 2) secured to the machine frame I6 and engageable by the carriage 45 as it shifts from one station to the other. These switches are in the circuits to be hereinafter explained.

Hence when the solenoid H9 is energized it raises the valve within the valve housing I I8 and permits compressed air to enter the outer end of the cylinder, in front of the piston H3 and thus forces the piston toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2. The movement of the piston shifts the carriage 45 into the compacting station F as hereinbefore mentioned.

When the carriage 45 comes to rest at the compacting station F, the lifter pad 5I and the cans A held in suspension thereon, are moved down to deposit the cans on the table G between the two side guide rails 35 (Figs. 1 2, 3 and 4).

This is effected by a reenergizing of the lifter pad solenoid I4 (Fig. 5) of the valve II. The "re-energizing of the solenoid raises the valve II in its housing 61 to a position which admits compressed air from the supply pipe 68 into the upper end of the lifter pad actuating cylinder 58 and this air forces the piston 51 and the lifter pad 5I downwardly toward the table G.

When the cans A are fully seated on the table G, the vacuum maintained within the vacuum cups 53 is dissipated and this releases the cans from the cups. This breaking of the vacuum is effected by the opening of a normally closed electric switch I25 (Fig. 2) which is engaged by the lifter pad 5| asit approaches the bottom of its downward stroke. Theswitch is connected to thesolenoids 98, I05 (Fig, 6) of theventingand vacuumizing mechanism hereinbefore men-,

tioned. When this switch isopened, the deenergized solenoid 93 becomes-energized and this opens the vent valveol and permits air at atmospheric pressure to enter the mechanism and thus break the vacuum. Simultaneously with this action, the energized solenoid I05 becomes de energized and this closes the vacuum valve I05 and thus cuts off the mechanism from the source of vacuum.

With the cans A thus in position on the table G and released from the vacuum cups 53, the lifter pad 5i moves up into its normal position against the carriage 45 as best shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This is brought about by a deenergizing of the lifter pad solenoid "I4 (Fig, 5) and a resulting closing of the lifter valve 'Il so that compressed air from the supply pipe 68 is cut off and the air operating against the rod side of the piston 51 (Fig. 4) is permitted to raise the piston and the lifter pad connected. therewith.

As soon as the lifter pad 5I returns to its normal elevated position, the carriage 45 returns to its normal position at the transfer station D as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, in readiness for a repeat cycle of operations on the next batch of cans now being collected on the conveyor C. This return movement of the carriage 45 is effected by a de-energizing of the energized solenoid II9 (Fig. 2) of the actuating cylinder II2. De-energizing of the solenoid shifts the valve in the valve housing I I8-and out off the supply of compressed air entering the outer end of the cylinder and vents this end of the cylinder to the atmosphere. This permits the constant air pressure on the inner end of the cylinder through pipe I IE, to force the piston H3 and the carriage 45 connected therewith, toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2, and this returns the carriage to the transfer station D.

During this return movement of the carriage 45 the cans A deposited on the table G in staggered relation and spaced parallel rows as they were on the conveyor C (at the left in Fig. 3), are moved together or compacted into a compact arrangement or unit layer in which all of the cans touch each other while maintaining their staggered and their parallel row relation as shown at the right in Fig. 3, the cans being pressed against a transverse stop rail i253, the ends of which are secured to the main frame I 6. The side guide rails 35 prevent lateral displacement of the cans during thisaction.

Compacting of the cans is brought about preferably by a pusher member, preferably a plate or bar I3I (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which extends trans versely of the machine at the compacting station F at a l e ve uv th, the ides. of the cans for 9 engagement therewith. This pusher member or bar I3I is carried on the upper end of a vertically disposed and longitudinally reciprocable arm I32 (Fig. 2) which operates in a longitudinal slot I33 (Figs. 1 and 3) formed in the tab e G. The lower end of the arm is mounted on a piston rod I34 (Fig. 2) carrying a piston I35 which operates in a cylinder I36 secured to the machine frame I6 below the table G.

In its normal position, the compacting arm I32 engages against the inner or piston rod end of the cylinder I36 as best shown in Fig. 2, the cylinder serving as a stop for locating the arm. The arm is held in this position by compressed air which acts against the adjacent face of the piston I35 and which is introduced into the rod end of the cylinder through a supply pipe I31 which leads from any suitable source of air under pressure. The opposite or outer end of the cylinder I36 is connected by a pipe I38 to the pipe II'I (Fig. 2) through which compressed air controlled by the valve in the housing H3 passes into the carriage cylinder II2.

Hence when the valve in the valve housing I I8 opens to admit air into the carriage cylinder I I2 to push the carriage 45 from the transfer station D into the compacting station F, it also introduces compressed air through pipe I38 into the outer end of the compacting cylinder I36. This air in the comp-acting cylinder I36 acts against the large area outer face of the piston I35 and pushes the piston and the arm I32 connected therewith toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2 and shown in dotted lines. The arm remains in this shifted position while the cans A are deposited on the table G as hereinbefore mentioned. When the valve in the housing I I8 is closed by solenoid I I 9 to cut ofif the air from the carriage cylinder II2 to allow the carriage 45 to return to the transfer station D, it also cuts off the flow of air into the outer end of the compacting cylinder I36 and vents the cylinder and this permits the continuous-pressure air coming through the pipe I31 at the opposite end of the cylinder to return the compacting arm I32 to its normal position in engagement with the cylinder as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. During this return travel of the arm I 32, its compacting bar I3I engages the cans A on the table G and pushes them toward the right against the stop rail I29 (as viewed in Fig. 2), thus moving them together into a compact unit layer arrangement as hereinbefore explained for discharge from the machine. This discharge may be effected in any suitable manner, the mode of discharge forming no part of the instant invention and is not shown in the drawings. This completes the cycle of operation of the machine.

Reference should now be had to the wiring diagram in Fig. 7 which schematically shows electric equipment for controlling and operating the various solenoids and switches hereinbefore mentioned. The cycle of operation of the machine is started through a starting circuit H which includes the electric motor 30, the normally closed conveyor stopping and restarting switch 31 and a service switch I40. This circuit like all the other circuits to be described transmits electric current from a generator I4I having a main or generator lead wire I42 and a return lead wire I43.

In the starting circuit H one side of the closed switch 31 is connected by a wire I44 to the main lead wire I42. The other side of the switch is connected by a wire I45 to the motor 30. The

motor is also connected by a wire I46 to one side 16 of the service switch I40. The opposite side of this switch is connected by a wire I41 to the return lead wire I43.

Hence when the service switch I40 is closed, electric current from the generator I4I flows along the circuit H and this starts the motor 36. The service switch I40 is closed only to start the machine and remains closed until it is desired to stop the machine. Hence during a cycle of operation of the machine, the motor 30 continues to operate as long as the switch 31 remains closed. It is during this period of the cycle of operation that the cans A are loaded into the conveyor pockets B and are advanced by the conveyor into the transfer station D.

When the transfer station D is filled with rows of cans A in their conveyor pockets B, the lead ing row of cans opens the switch 31 and this breaks the circuit and temporarily stops the motor 30 as hereinbefore explained. Opening of the switch 3! simultaneously closes a cooperating normally open switch I5I which is formed as a part of the switch 31 and which constitutes an element of a lifter pad lowering circuit 1. This circuit I includes the normally closed carriage switch IZI, the normally closed vacuum switch 64, and the lifter valve solenoid I4. Electric current from the generator I4I passing along this circuit I travels from the main lead wire I42, along I44 of the starting circuit H, along a connecting wire I52, closed switch I5I, a connecting wire I53, closed carriage switch IZI, a connecting wire I54, closed vacuum switch 84, a connecting wire I55, the lifter valve solenoid 14, return ing along a connecting wire I56 to the return lead wire I43.

Electric current passing along the circuit I energizes the lifter valve solenoid I4 and thus opens the valve to permit compressed air to flow into the lifter cylinder 56 and thus lower the lifter pad 5| and its vacuum cups 53 into engagement with the cans in the conveyor pockets B as hereinbefore explained. As soon as the lifter pad 5| starts to move down it opens a normally closed control switch I58 and closes an integrally formed normally open control switch I59 having a common switch element which engages against the upper surface of the lifter pad. However the actuation of these switches performs no function at this time, their efiect on the various circuits being reserved for a later period in the cycle of operation.

When the descending lifter pad 5I reaches the bottom of its stroke and engages the cans A; it also engages and closes the normally open switch I09. Closing of this switch does two things. It establishes a vacuumizing circuit J which includes the normally de-energizing vacuumizing valve solenoid I66 of the vent-vacuum mechanism and also closes a relay circuit K which includes a normally de-energized relay solenoid I6I. In the vacuumizing circuit J electric current passes from the generator lead wire I42 along a wire I62, through the closed switch I09, along wires I63, I64, I65 to and through the vacuumizing valve solenoid I06 and returns along a wire I66 to the return lead wire I43. This current energizes the vacuum valve solenoid I06 and thus opens the vacuumizing valve I05 (Fig. 6) to vacuumize the cups 53 in engagement with the cans A.

Current passing along this vacuumizing circuit J also passes along the relay circuit K, the current passing from the wire I63 through the relay solenoid I 6| and returns along a connecting wire I66 to the return lead wire I43. Current passing along this circuit K energizes the relay sole- 11 noid I 6| and thereby opens a normally closed relay switch |1I included in a vent circuit L and also closes a normally open relay switch I12 included in a vacuum holding circuit M.

In the vent circuit L, electric current from the generator lead wire I42 normally passes along a wire I14, through the closed relay switch I1I, along a connecting wire I15 to and through the normally energized venting valve solenoid 98 of the vent-vacuum mechanism and returns along a wire I16 to the return lead wire I43. When the relay switch I1I opens, it breaks this circuit L and thereby de-energizes the venting valve solenoid 98. This closes the vent valve 9| (Fig. 6) as hereinbefore explained to cut off the outside atmosphere so that the vacuum cups 53 can be vacuumized.

Since the vacuum pull on the cups 53 and their engaged cans A is maintained while the lifter pad 5| lifts the cans off the conveyor C and transfers them to the table G at the compacting station F, provision is made for holding the relay solenoid |6I energized when the lifter pad 5| rises and thereby releases and opens the switch I09. It 1s for this purpose that the vacuum holding circuit M is established by the closing of the relay switch I12. When this switch is closed electric current from the generator lead wire I42 passes along a wire I18 (at the right in Fig. '1) adjacent the compacting station F through the normally closed switch I25, along a wire I19, through the closed relayrswitch I12, along wire I64, through the energized relay solenoid I6I, returning along wire I68 of the circuit K to the return lead wire I43. This current maintains the relay solenoid ISI in its energized condition.

When a predetermined amount of vacuum is created in the vacuum lines connecting with the vacuum cups 53 to insure lifting of the cans with the lifter pad 5|, the normally closed switch 84 of the vent-vacuum mechanism, opens and thereby breaks the lifter pad lowering circuit I. The breaking of this circuit opens the air valve 1| (Fig. 5) of the lifter pad mechanism and this raises the lifterpad 5| and the cans A attached thereto. As the cans rise from the conveyor C they release the starting switch 31 of the starting circuit H. The switch 31 thereupon closes and re-esta-blishes the starting circuit H so that the motor again operates to advance the conveyor C for the collection of a new batch of cans A at the transfer station. Simultaneously with the closing of the switch 31 its associated switch I5| opens and thus insures against re-establishment of the lifter pad lowering circuit I due to failure of the vacuum with a consequent early closing of the vacuum switch 84.

When the lifter pad 5| reaches the top of its stroke, holding the cans A in suspension, it engages and closes the control switch I58 and opens its cooperating control switch I59. Closing of the switch I58 establishes a circuit N which is an extension of the circuit M and which is utilized for the purpose of shifting the transfer carriage into the compacting station F and for simultaneously shifting the compacting arm I32 in readiness to receive the cans A on the table G. The circuit N includes the normally tie-energized solenoid H9 of the air valve H8 which admits air into the cylinder H2 for actuating the carriage.

Tracing the flow of current through the combined circuits M and N, the current passes from the generator lead wire I42 along the wire I18 (at the right in the diagram), through the closed switch I25, along wire I19,through closed relay switch I12, along a wire I8I of circuit N, through the closed switch I58, along a wire I82 and a connecting wire I83 to and through the carriage solenoid H9 returning along a wire I84 to the return lead wire I43. Current passing along this circuit energizes the solenoid H9 andthus opens the air valve in the housing H8 and effects-the shifting of the carriage 45 into the compacting station F. The switches I58, I59 move with the carriage.

As the carriage 45 begins its shifting movement it moves away from the switch I2I at the left of the carriage and this opens the switch and insures against re-energizing the lifter pad solehold 14 during movement of the carriage. When the carriage reaches the compacting station F and is in proper position it engages and closes the normally open switch I22.

The closing of the switch I22 establishes a circuit O which includes the lifter solenoid 14 and a normally open switch I86 formed as a part of the vacuum switch 84 of the vent-vacuum mechanism. The switch I86 closes when the switch 84 opens, these switches remaining in these conditions as long as suflicient vacuum is maintained to hold the cans A against the vacuum cups 53. The circuit O'is utilized to re-energize the lifter solenoid 14 to open the air valve 1| (Fig. 5) and thus lower the lifter pad 5| and the cans A toward the table G at the compacting station F. For this re-energizing operation'electric current from the generator lead wire I42'passes along a wire I9I (extreme right in the diagram), through the closed switchl22, a wire I92, through the closed switch I86, along a wireI93 and the wire I55 to and through the'solenoid 14, returning along wire I56 to the return lead wire I43. Current passing along this circuit energizes the solenoid I4.

In order to prevent breaking of the circuit N so as to hold the carriage solenoid H9 energized to maintain the carriage 45 in its position at the compacting station F when the lifter pad 5| moves down away from the switch I 58 and opens it, a relay holding circuit P is provided which by-passes the control switch I58. This circuit takes electric current from the wire I82 of circuit N, the current passing along a connecting wire I95, through a relay solenoid I96, returning along a wire I 91 to the return lead wire I43. Current passing along this circuit energizes the relay solenoid I96 and thereby closes a normally open relay switch I98 actuated by the solenoid.

The closing of the relay switch I98 establishes the by-pass portion of the circuit-P and provides for the continued energization of the carriage solenoid H9 during the interval when the switch I58 is opening and the switch I59 is closingduring which interval both switches are open. In this by-pass portion of the circuit P, current from the wire |8I of circuit N at switch I 58 passes around the'switch along a wire 28I, through the closed relay switch I98, wire I83, carriage solenoid H9 and wire I84 to the return lead wire I43. Current also passes from the closed relay switch I98 along the wire I82 to and through the relay solenoid I95 and wire I91 to the return lead wire I43 to maintain the relay solenoid I96 energized and the relay switch I98 closed.

When the lifter pad 5| descends far enough to close the switch I59 a new holding circuit R is formed which includes this switch and which cuts out the relay solenoid I98 for the purpose of subsequently breaking the carriage circuit N.

Current for this circuit R is received from the circuit O, the current passing from the generator lead wire I42 along the wire I9I and through the closed switch I22 of circuit 0, then along a wire 203 of circuit R, through the closed switch I59, along a wire 204 and wires I82, I83 to and through the carriage solenoid I I 9 and along wire I84 to the return lead wire I43.

When the lifter pad 5| reaches the bottom of its down stroke and deposits the cans A on the table G at the compacting station F, the vacuum in the vacuum cups 53 is broken to release the cans from the lifter pad and to leave them on the table. This is effected by the pad at the bottom of its stroke engaging against and opening the switch I25 in circuit M. This breaks the circuit M and that portion of circuit K which in-- cludes the relay solenoid Ifil. The solenoid I5! thereupon becomes de-energized and this returns the relay switch III to its normally closed condition and simultaneously returns the relay switch (12 to its normally open condition.

Opening of the relay switch I72 breaks that portion of circuit N which leads into the by-pass portion of circuit P and thus de-energizes the relay solenoid I96 and opens the relay switch I58 in circuit P. Thus the sole current supply for the carriage solenoid H9 is now through switch I59 of circuit R. The opening of the relay switch I'I2 also breaks the circuit J and this de-energizes the vacuum solenoid I06 and closes the vacuum valve I05 (Fig. 6). This cuts off the source of vacuum.

The simultaneous closing of the relay switch Ill, re-establishes the broken venting circuit L including the venting solenoid 98 and this re-energizes the solenoid and opens the venting valve 9| (Fig. 6). The vacuum system, including the vacuum cups 53, is thereupon vented to the outside atmosphere and the vacuum is broken. The cans A are thus released from the cups and are supported solely by the table G. This dissipation of the vacuum in the cups 53 also returns the vacuum switch 84 in circuit I to its normally closed condition and returns the connected vacuum switch I85 in circuit to its normally open condition.

The closing of the vacuum switch 84 accomplishes nothing at this time except to partially re-establish circuit I for the return of the carriage 45 to its normal position at the transfer station D, since switch IZI in this circuit I is still open. However, the opening of the vacuum switch I 86 in circuit 0 immediately breaks this circuit and thereby de-energizes the solenoid I4 in the circuit I portion. De-energizing of this solenoid It closes the air valve II (Fig. 5) and vents the lifter pad cylinder 56 and thus permits the lifter pad 5I to move upwardly away from the table G, leaving the cans on the table.

When the rising lifter pad 5I reaches the top of its stroke, against the carriage 45, it engages and returns the control switch I58 to its normally closed condition and simultaneously returns the control switch I59 to its normally open condition. Closing of the switch I 58 partially reestablishes the circuit N for the next cycle of operation. However, the opening of the switch I59 breaks the circuit R and that portion of circuit N that includes the carriage solenoid H9 and thus de-energizes the solenoid H9. De-energizing of this solenoid closes the air valve within the valve housing H8 and thus cuts off the supply of air to the carriage cylinder II 2 and the compacting cylinder I35 and vents these cylinders. This permits the carriage to return to its normal position at the transfer station D where it engages and closes the open control switch I2I for the next cycle of operation. It also permits the compacting arm I32 .to return to its normal position to effect the compacting of the cans A on the table G into the desired unit layer of cans as hereinbefore explained. This completes the cycle of operation of the electric circuits and devices used in the machine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for feeding spaced rows of containers and for arranging them in a pattern formation, the combination of an intermittently operated conveyor for feeding said rows of containers, a platform located adjacent said conveyor, a lifting device movable relative to and between said conveyor and platform for lifting the articles as a unit layer from the conveyor and for depositing them onto said platform, a plurality of suction cups carried on said ilfting device and connecting with a vacuum lin leading to a source of vacuum for gripping and holding the containers during movement of said lifting device, an air operated cylinder for raising and lowering said lifting device, an electric control valve for effecting the operation of said air cylinder, electric means connecting with said valve and operable by the vacuum in said vacuum line for delaying the lifting action of said lifter device until a sufficient supply of vacuum is connected to said suction cups to insure the gripping and lifting of the containers, a movable element operable adjacent said platform for engaging and shifting the deposited containers on said platform into a desired compact pattern formation, and fluid pressure means actuated by said lifting device for moving said movable element into engagement with said deposited containers for the purpose described.

2. In a machine for feeding articles and for arranging them in a staggered pattern formation, the combination of an endless conveyor, a plurality of parallel elongated pockets carried on said conveyor transversely of its path of travel for feeding spaced rows of articles with a row in each pocket, means in said pockets for engaging alternate ends of the rows for locating the articles in a Pocket in staggered relation to the articles in an adjacent pocket, a platform located adjacent said conveyor, lifting means movable relative to said conveyor and to said platform, said lifting means having article engaging devices disposed in staggered relation corresponding to the staggered rows of articles in the said conveyor pockets for removing a plurality of rows as a unit layer and for depositing them onto said platform in the same staggered relation, a movable element operable adjacent said platform for engaging and shifting the rows of articles on said platform into a compact staggered'for mation, and means actuated by the movement of said lifting means for moving said element into and out of engagement with said deposited articles on said platform.

-3.'-In a machine for feeding spaced'rows of articles and'for arranging them in a staggered formation, the combination of a conveyor for feeding a plurality of spaced parallel transverse rows'of the articles into a transfer station to form a unit layer of articles having adjacent rows in staggered relation, means for operating said conveyor a predetermined distance to advance the desired number of'rows to form said layer of articles, control means operable by the articles received in said transfer station for stopping said-conveyor when the required number ofarticles is advanced to locate said unit layer of articlesin a predetermined position at said transfer station, a platform located adjacent said conveyor at a compacting station, a lifting device movable'relative to said conveyor and to said platform, gripper means carried on said lifting device for engaging the positioned rows of articles in the layer on said conveyor for lifting them therefrom and for depositing them as a unit of spaced rowsonto said platform, a pusher membermovable adjacent said platform for engaging and shifting the staggered rows of articles into closely contacting relation to transform the transferred articles on said platform into a compact staggered formation, and fluid pressure means actuated'by the movement of said lifting device for moving said pushermember into shifting engagement with said deposited articles.

4. Ina machine'for feeding spaced rows of articles and for arranging them in a desired formation, the combination of a conveyor for feeding-the articles by rows into a transfer station, a platform located adjacent said conveyor at a compacting station, a transfer carriage having fluid pressure means for moving the same be tween said stations, a lifting device carried on said carriage and movable therewith, said lifting device being movable between said carriage and said conveyor at said transfer station and between said carriage and said platform at said compacting station, a plurality of suction cups carried on said lifting device and connected to a vacuum line leading to a source of vacuum for picking up a plurality of rows of the articles from said conveyor and for holding them in suspension during movement of said carriage and for depositing the rows of articles as a unit layer onto said platform, fluid pressure means for raising and lowering said lifting device for moving said carriage in opposite directions between said stations, a movable pusher member operable adjacent said platform for engaging and shifting the rows of transferred articles on said platform into a compact pattern formation, fluid pressure means for moving said pusher member, and means actuated by said lifting device for vacuumizing said cups through said vacuum line and'for actuating said fluid pressure means to move said carriage and said pusher member in synchronized relation.

5. In a machine for feeding spaced rows of containers and for arranging them in a staggered pattern formation, the combination of an intermittently operated conveyor for feeding a plurality of spaced transverse rows of containers, means carried by said conveyor for staggering adjacent unit rows of articles thereon, a platform located adjacent said conveyor, a lifting device horizontally reciprocable between said conveyor and platform and vertically movable relative to said conveyor and to said platform for lifting the-articles instaggered rows asa unitlayer-from the conveyor and for depositing them on said platform, a plurality of vacuum cups arranged in spacedstaggered rows on said lifting device and connecting with-a vacuum line leading to a source of vacuum for gripping and holding the containers in their staggered-row relation during movement of said lifting device, fluid pressure means for reciprocating and raisingand lowering said lifting device, an electric control valve-for effecting the operation of said fluid pressure means, electric means connecting with said'valve and operable by the vacuum in said vacuum line for delaying the lifting movement of said lifter device until a sufficient vacuum is created in said vacuum cups to insure the gripping :and lifting of the containers,-a pusher member reciprocable over said platform forengaging-and shifting the rows of deposited containersthereon into a compact formation, means on said platform and disposed onopposite ends of the rows of containers on the platform for retaining the staggered pattern formation duringcompacting thereof by saidpusher member, and'fluid'pressure means actuated by the vertical movement of said lifting device for reciprocating said pusher member for the described purpose.

6. In a machine for feeding spaced rowsof containers and for arrangingthem in'apattern formation, the combination of a conveyor for feeding said'rows of containers, atplatform :located adjacent said.conveyor,-a transfer'device having means for moving the same betweensald conveyor and said platform for elevating the articles'as a unit layer from said conveyor and for transferring them to said platformymeans including a plurality of suction cups carried on said-transfer device and connecting with a vacuum line leading to a source of vacuum for gripping and holding the containers during movement of said transfer device,'means forelevating and lowering said transfer device, means exposed to and operable by the vacuum in said line for delaying'the elevation of said transfer device until a sufficient supply of vacuum is present in said suction cups to insure the'grlpping and elevation of the containers, a movable pusher member operable adjacent said platform for engaging and shifting the transferred containers on said platform into a desired compact pattern formation, and means actuated by the movement of said transfer device for moving said pusher member into engagement with said transferred containers for the purpose described.

JOHN E. 'SOCKE.

ZEFEEENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,355,488 McKenney Oct. 12, 1920 1,904,720 Douglass Apr. 18, 1933 1,906,786 Bowman et al May 2, 1933 1,917,986 Lagerholm July 11, 1933 1,943,483 Miller Jan. 16, 1934 1,979,763 Olson Nov. 6, 1934 2,247,787 Schmidt July 1, 1941 2,253,283 Minaker Aug. 19, 1941 2,393,682 I-Iekman Jan. 29, 1946 2,400,484 Campana May 21, 1946 2,400,542 Davis May 21, 1946 

